Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Curiousity {knitting & crochet}.

About a month ago, I stumbled across Meredith's lovely blog, One Sheepish Girl. She knits and crochets, and makes it seem like so much fun. I was intrigued.

Around the same time, I was browsing Etsy and saw these patterns (so cute!). And then I saw this pattern for fingerless gloves, which I was really eyeing last winter.

Today I was in Hobby Lobby, wandering the yarn aisles for some brown yarn to use for hair on a doll I'm planning on making. I love all of the gorgeous colors of the yarn...it's almost as beautiful as fabric. Then tonight, I found this free pattern for a scarf like Penelope's in my beloved movie.

And everything just clicked. An idea that I've been avoiding for some time now...Every time me and my mom discuss knitting and crocheting, I always make an excuse: "But like I really need another hobby, right?" I mean, I already sew, embroider, and do a little bookbinding. I don't want to go overboard with craftiness (is that possible?).

But...I really want to try it. Now that I've done a little research and actually know the difference between knitting and crocheting, I find them both really fascinating. I've been watching how to videos on Youtube tonight. Once upon a time, I knew the basics of crocheting, because some ladies in our church were trying to teach our girls' class. A few months ago, during a clean up, I threw away a crochet hook and a long chain of yellow yarn. I wish I had kept it.

I'm optimistic and ambitious, but I do realize I won't be jumping into Penelope's scarf right away. :) I think it is the inspiration and push I need to dabble in knitting and/or crochet, though.

Do any of you knit or crochet? Which do you prefer? Which do you think is easier? Any tips or helpful videos?

5 comments:

My grandma taught me how to crochet, and later on I learned continental/German knitting, with a "Taught Myself Knitting" book (or something like that). I personally think knitting is easier, even though there are two needles. And I never learned any advanced stitches, just the few basics; but you can do a lot with even those! :) The fingerless gloves, for example, use the basic crochet stitches.

I guess my #1 tip would be to use the needles and yarn type/width the pattern recommends; it can make a huge difference as far as sizing goes.

I don't knit or crochet (although I tried to learn to crochet years ago), but my younger sister knows how to do both. She finds crocheting easier, and has done more of that, but lately she's been working on advancing her knitting skills as well.

Learning to knit was on my New Year's Resolution list this year, but then I dove head first into sewing and haven't had the time to think about any other hobbies (aside from running). I'm sure you'll pick it up quickly. I can't wait to see what you make!

I love knitting :) For inspiration, go to your local library and check out some Vogue Knitting Magazine back issues-- most of the patterns are very advanced, but gorgeous! I always take the idea of a Vogue Knitting project and make it less complicated.